Targeted enforcement will result in increased compliance, faster resolution of ordinance violations

DEARBORN – In an effort to increase enforcement of ordinances preserving neighborhood standards, the Residential Services Department and ordinance officers from the Police Department are working together on a comprehensive neighborhood blight initiative.

The next special enforcement period will be Thursday and Friday in the neighborhoods west of Telegraph.

The citywide effort aims to increase compliance and address violations. It will focus on five key ordinance infractions:

• Removal of trash and recycling bins from the curb in a timely manner.

The ordinances targeted for increased enforcement are included in year-round efforts by Residential Services to keep neighborhoods clean, safe and compliant with city ordinances. Ordinance officers will assist with enforcement during peak times of the year.

“This comprehensive neighborhood blight initiative will result in better and faster enforcement of ordinances in our neighborhoods, and supplement the year-round efforts of our Residential Services Department,” Mayor John O’Reilly Jr. said.

The effort builds upon the success of the South End Clean-Up in May, in which the city supported residents and local groups while they worked to spruce up the neighborhood, and also to educate the public about property maintenance ordinances.

Similar to the city’s neighborhood inspectors, ordinance officers will issue notices of violation. Residents in violation will be given a set amount of time to correct the problem, after which point abatement charges may apply or a ticket may be issued.

Police Chief Ronald Haddad stressed that the Police Department will use its ordinance officers to assist with the increased enforcement. No road patrol officers will be used in the effort.

“The Police Department’s ordinance officers are out in the city addressing violations such as prohibited parking and Public Service Days infractions,” Haddad said. “The overlap of ordinances means that our team can help combat property violations, too.”

Additional special enforcement by ordinance officers will take place Aug. 25 and 26 in the neighborhoods west of Greenfield to the Southfield Freeway. Another period will be Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 in the Southfield and Outer Drive area.

Residents can report suspected violations, as well as violations at businesses and building permit or structural problems, to the Residential Services Department by calling 313-943-2161.